Contamination of groundwater by necro-leachate and the influence of the intervening factors in cemeteries of the municipality of Lages – Brazil

Abstract

Cemeteries are potential sources of groundwater contamination and, despite the several studies that evidence this sort of contamination, only a few consider how the aspects and characteristics of the unsaturated zone interfere in this process. This study evaluated the quality of groundwater in the areas of two cemeteries under the same precipitation regime, climate and burial practices, but with pedological differences. During one year, the physicochemical parameters potential hydrogen (pH), electrical conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygen demand, total phenols, total phosphorus and ammonia (NH3), as well as the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel, (Ni) and zinc (Zn), were monitored in the groundwater from two cemeteries located in the urban area of the municipality of Lages, Brazil. Samplings were performed in monitoring wells inside the cemeteries and the local rainfall was registered. The quality of the groundwater from both cemeteries indicates contamination by necro-leachate constituents such as mineral salts, NH3, total phenols, Cd, Cr and Ni, which, besides being harmful to the environment, pose a risk to public health. The precipitation, which had a direct effect on the height of the water level in the groundwater aquifer, increased the levels of contaminants, while the reduced values of cation-exchange capacity (CEC), considering that a large part of the soil is occupied by Al3+ ions, reduced the adsorption potential of the other metals.

Delineation of Potential Groundwater Zones and Assessment of Their Vulnerability to Pollution from Cemeteries Using GIS and AHP Approaches Based on the DRASTIC Index and Specific DRASTIC

“…Despite the large number of studies that have evaluated the quality of groundwater under the influence of cemeteries [140][141][142], relatively few have looked at soil and unsaturated zone characteristics in their evaluations. The only study that examined cemeteries was conducted by Razack and Sinan [73], who discovered that the observed DRASTIC indices ranged from 71 to 204.…”

Occurrence and sources of hormones in water resources—environmental and health impact

“…Cemeteries can contribute to water pollution through the release of various contaminants. Baum et al ( 2022 ) showed that groundwater is contaminated by necro-leachate, containing ammonia, heavy metals, and other harmful substances. Fiedler et al confirmed the presence of pharmaceuticals in cemetery drainage, but described the environmental risk as low (Fiedler et al 2018 ).…”